From a Cornfield to the Gothic: An Appreciation of the Scarecrow
Juliette Wood looks appreciatively at the history and traditions of scarecrows
From a Cornfield to the Gothic: An Appreciation of the Scarecrow
A Folklore Society online talk by
Juliette Wood
Tuesday 21 October 2025, 19:00-20:30
What is it about the scarecrow that gives it such potential? Does it depend on its position in folk culture, or on an ancient meaning or ritual usage, or because we have re-interpreted the figure in contemporary culture? The answer probably incorporates something from all these things. Whatever the origin, the changing function is expressed in new ways creating modern craft festivals and, more problematic, an increasing range of anthropomorphic and gothic figures in literature and popular culture.
Dr Juliette Wood teaches at Cardiff University, in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion. She is a former President and a long-standing Council member of The Folklore Society and has published widely on Welsh folklore, medieval Welsh literature, Celtic mythology and traditions, fairies, fantastic creatures, and more.
Tickets £6.00 (£4.00 for Folklore Society members with the Promo Code)
Every ticket sold helps to support the work of The Folklore Society
Image: 'A Scarecrow's View at Skidby;' photo Stephen Horncastle, via Wikimedia Commons
Juliette Wood looks appreciatively at the history and traditions of scarecrows
From a Cornfield to the Gothic: An Appreciation of the Scarecrow
A Folklore Society online talk by
Juliette Wood
Tuesday 21 October 2025, 19:00-20:30
What is it about the scarecrow that gives it such potential? Does it depend on its position in folk culture, or on an ancient meaning or ritual usage, or because we have re-interpreted the figure in contemporary culture? The answer probably incorporates something from all these things. Whatever the origin, the changing function is expressed in new ways creating modern craft festivals and, more problematic, an increasing range of anthropomorphic and gothic figures in literature and popular culture.
Dr Juliette Wood teaches at Cardiff University, in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion. She is a former President and a long-standing Council member of The Folklore Society and has published widely on Welsh folklore, medieval Welsh literature, Celtic mythology and traditions, fairies, fantastic creatures, and more.
Tickets £6.00 (£4.00 for Folklore Society members with the Promo Code)
Every ticket sold helps to support the work of The Folklore Society
Image: 'A Scarecrow's View at Skidby;' photo Stephen Horncastle, via Wikimedia Commons